FIFA has released a 23-man shortlist for the 2012 Ballon d’Or and to very few people’s surprise, La Liga players comprised most of it.
Barcelona’s Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao were just three of the 14 players on the Ballon d’Or list that ply their trade in Spain’s top division. Others that also do so are Barcelona midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Of the remaining nine players, five currently play in the Premiership. Manchester United strikers Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie were among those five.
Others on the list who do not fall into the above categories include Didier Drogba, Neymar and Gianluigi Buffon.
The winner of the award will be announced on January 7 of next year.
Here are the full 23 players on the 2012 Ballon d’Or shortlist:
Leo Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo
Radamel Falcao
Neymar
Sergio Aguero
Xabi Alonso
Mario Balotelli
Karim Benzema
Gianluigi Buffon
Sergio Busquets
Iker Casillas
Didier Drogba
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Andres Iniesta
Manuel Neuer
Mesut Ozil
Gerard Pique
Andrea Pirlo
Sergio Ramos
Wayne Rooney
Yayo Toure
Robin van Persie
Xavi
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What do you think of this shortlist? Is there anyone that should/shouldn’t be on? Does it even matter given that Messi will likely win it again?
Share your thoughts below.